Note: When we wrote this blog post, the CFFP had no idea that Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch had a long history of severe abuse and neglect. We stand by this post, which describes the good work that Boys Ranch does for young people today. However, we believe that all institutions… Read More
“Parents rights” advocates have scored a victory now that Idaho has passed House Bill 113. But what does it mean for Idaho’s children?
On April 2, Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter signed into law House Bill 113 known as the “parents rights” bill. It will become law on July 1 of this year. The bill was one of many similar pieces of legislation being lobbied around the country by the Home School Legal Defense Association, whose mission… Read More
#ProjectIdaho: Press Coverage
March 2, 2015 Faith-Healer Parents Who Let Their Child Die Should Go to Jail The New Republic, by Jerry A. Coyne March 2, 2015 Poll: Parental Rights Bill? No The Spokesman-Review March 2, 2015 Parental rights are sacred … except when they’re not Watchdog.org, by Wayne Hoffman March 2,… Read More
In Memoriam: The CFFP Remembers Rev. Keith Wright
The Child-Friendly Faith Project has lost a wise, compassionate, and courageous advisor. On January 9, Rev. Keith Wright, who had served congregations for nearly sixty years, passed away. Many people in the Austin community loved Keith as a pastor and as a friend. He was absolutely devoted to his family,… Read More
Faith Communities Meet the Needs of Abused Children and Adult Survivors
Meet Peter Singer and David Pittman, two advocates who are serving the needs of child victims of maltreatment and survivors of sexual abuse. The Child-Friendly Faith Project is honored to have each give an important presentation at this year’s conference on Dec. 4th and 5th in Austin, Texas. Peter will… Read More
A young man stopped believing Mormon teachings and was disowned by his parents
Last weekend, I spoke at the annual ExMormon Foundation Conference. The organization supports those who have left, or been excommunicated from, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The “ExMo” conference is always held in “Mormon central,” or Salt Lake City. Many attendees came from Utah but I met people from all over… Read More
Interview with Marci A. Hamilton, JD
Professor Marci A. Hamilton holds the Paul R. Verkuil Chair in Public Law at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University. One of the country’s leading scholars in church/state law, she represented the City of Boerne, Texas, in a successful challenge to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a… Read More
Do culture and religion matter in the Adrian Peterson case?
While the media seems largely focused on the fact that the Minnesota Vikings finally decided to bench its star running back, a more important—and politically incorrect—question needs to be asked: Did Adrian Peterson’s religious beliefs and cultural background as an African American contribute to him beating and injuring his son?… Read More
Interview with Dr. Lisa Aronson Fontes
Lisa Aronson Fontes, PhD, is a cultural expert, lecturer, and author. She has focused much of her career helping our mental health, social service, and criminal justice systems be more responsive to culturally diverse people. Dr. Fontes, who teaches at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has written numerous journal articles and chapters on cultural… Read More
What does a victim of child sexual abuse look like? Don’t ask Christianity Today.
An embarrassing apology published by Christianity Today shows that leaders in the faith community still have a lot to learn about child sexual abuse. The readers of Christianity Today have taught the magazine a lesson—they know more about child sexual abuse then its editors do. Last Monday, CT published an article on its Leadership Journal website written by an unnamed pastor who is serving time in prison… Read More